Abstract
Spleen cells from mice pretreated with cortisone were impaired in their ability to support an immune response in vitro to two antigens: sheep erythrocytes (SRBC) and polymeric flagellar protein of Salmonella adelaide (POL). We conclude that this immunosuppression is consistent with cortisone causing a dysfunction in accessory cells (macrophages?) and thymus-derived (T) helper cells without seriously affecting antibody forming cell precursors. Evidence for this comes from reconstitution of the response with additions of peritoneal exudate cells (PEC, irradiated, and anti- θ -treated), activated T cells, and 2-mercaptoethanol (2-Me) in culture. Additions of PEC or 2-Me restored the T cell-independent anti-POL response not only in cortisone-treated spleen cell cultures, but, contrary to previous reports, also in cultures of normal spleen cells depleted of adherent (accessory) cells by carbonyl iron treatment. The anti-SRBC response (which is dependent on T cells and accessory cells) in cortisone-treated spleen cell cultures was fully restored only by a combination of activated T cells and PEC or activated T cells and 2-Me. However, with lower doses of cortisone pretreatment, activated T cells or 2-Me alone was effective.
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